Rewind back to Hot Docs Industry Day 3 Recap 📸
Check out the highlights from Wednesday, April 29, at the Hot Docs Industry Conference & Market. Featured events included Meet the Broadcasters, Documentary is Ceremony, and the Industry Closing Reception presented by Paramount+ @paramountplusca .
Thank you to all the filmmakers, delegates, and partners who joined us. Your presence and insights made this year’s conference truly exceptional.
Hot Docs Industry Day 2 Recap 📸
Check out the highlights from Tuesday, April 28th at the Hot Docs Industry Conference & Market. From the Hot Docs Forum and Deal Makers to the Industry reception with Italian Trade Agency and beyond—it was a packed day of connections and conversation.
🌟 Best Canadian Short Documentary:
MY BODY GOES TO WORK – directed by Fernanda Molina
🌟 Best International Short Documentary, sponsored by TVO Docs @TVODocs :
REPLIKKA – directed by Piratá Waurá and Heloisa Passos
🌟 Hot Docs Don Haig Award:
JENNIFER HOLNESS
🌟 The Bill Nemtin Award for Best Social Impact Documentary, sponsored by the Bill Nemtin Legacy Fund:
THE SEOUL GUARDIANS – directed by Chul Young Cho, Shin Wan Kim, Jong Woo Kim, & Sona Jo
🌟 The Lindalee Tracey Award:
Ă–ZGĂśN GĂśNDĂśZ
🌟 Docs for Schools Student Choice Award:
NEKAI WALKS – directed by Rico King
đź’— Thank you to all of our sponsors, volunteers, staff, and filmmakers!
Hot Docs Industry Day 1 Recap 📸
Check out the photos from Monday, April 27th’s Hot Docs Industry Conference & Market.
Photo credit: Thomas Kim, Ludwing Duarte
For over three decades, we’ve been proud to support the careers of filmmakers and the work of our industry partners.
Check for today’s industry-access events and lounge hours.
For over three decades, we’ve been proud to support the careers of filmmakers and the work of our industry partners.
Check for today’s industry-access events and lounge hours.
🎬 Hot Docs Forum
đź“Ť Hot Docs Cinema | 506 Bloor St W
A dynamic two-day pitching event connecting documentary projects to international co-production and financing opportunities.
Join industry leaders and discover bold new voices shaping the future of non-fiction storytelling.
✨ What to expect:
• Live pitches from pre-selected projects
• Feedback from international decision-makers
• Networking with global industry delegates
🌟 Wild Card Pitch
Submit your name on Day 1 for a chance to pitch on Day 2. The selected participant will be announced at 11:30 AM on April 28.
🇧🇷 Brazil Spotlight
The Brazilian project Widows of Living Husbands / ViĂşvas de Maridos Vivos, directed by Diego Kelmann and Jussara Costa do Macuco, will pitch on:
📅 Day 2 — Wednesday, April 29
⏰ 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
We are cheering them on.
🎟️ Premium Pass required
đź”— Learn more: https://hotdocs.ca/industry/conference/event-program
#HotDocs #HotDocsIndustry #HotDocsForum #DocumentaryFilm #Filmmakers FilmIndustry CoProduction BrazilFilmFest AquiÉBrasil
Jennifer Holness @jenniferjholness Named 2026 Hot Docs Don Haig Award Recipient
Award-winning producer and director Jennifer Holness has been named this year’s recipient of the prestigious Hot Docs Don Haig Award.
The Award is presented to an outstanding Canadian independent producer with a feature-length film in the Festival and recognizes creative vision and entrepreneurship.
Jennifer receives this year's Award in recognition of her work as the executive producer behind Hot Docs 2026 official selection Black Zombie.
The Award will be presented at the Hot Docs awards presentation on May 1, and the honour includes a $5,000 cash prize, courtesy of the Don Haig Foundation.
For over three decades, we’ve been proud to support the careers of filmmakers and the work of our industry partners.
Check for today’s industry-access events and lounge hours.
